Political Quotes

“the conference report on S. 640, the Water Resources Development Act of 1996, is a comprehensive authorization of the water resources programs of the Army Corps of Engineers. It represents 4 years of bipartisan effort to preserve and develop the water infrastructure that is vital to the Nation's safety and economic well-being. First, let me thank and congratulate my colleagues on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for their vision and tireless efforts in helping move this legislation. I want to give special thanks to Committee Ranking Member Jim Oberstar, Subcommittee Chairman, Sherwood Boehlert, and the Subcommittee Ranking Member Bob Borski. Their leadership and contributions have been outstanding. These Members, and ranking Republican on the committee Don Young, also served with me as House conferees. Mr. Speaker, in the 103d Congress, the House overwhelmingly passed H.R. 4460, a bill that should have become the Water Resources Development Act of 1994. Unfortunately, that bill did not become law, and for the first time since 1986, Congress was unable to enact WRDA legislation. During the 104th Congress, we committed to restoring certainty to the process and fulfilling or commitment to non-Federal project sponsors, most of whom had already committed substantial funds to projects.”